South America ARCC Gap Semester

This adventure was packed with opportunities for fun and unforgettable experiences. During the semester cultural immersion, community service, and building leadership were central to each leg of the journey. I loved the challenges, like our week backpacking the W-Trek, or organizing an entire week with my peers for the student planned module. Each week was like another world, between the dense Amazon rainforest, and the ashen slope of Cotopaxi volcano. Our instructors were enthusiastic, well traveled, and clearly valued our personal growth and allowed us the room we needed to take charge and learn. Although there were moments where I felt discomfort, perhaps due to unfamiliar circumstances, the powerful moments and once in a life time opportunities created something I would have never been a part of otherwise. Beforehand I didn’t have much interest in travel, but now with expanded horizons, I want to continue to visit and learn from locations around the world.